While I cannot be certain, I do know that the words for tongue and language in the Latin languages (French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, etc) are feminine (the same with land). The importance of the definition of mother tongue varies from country to country. I assume it was Bengali since you would spent more time with your mother and she would speak to you more often during your infancy. Here, mother tongue is basically considered to be the native language. The language one first learned; the language one grew up with; one's native language. (His mother’s parents, from … Which language you learned first? "Language" and "tongue" are here synonyms. Importantly, in times when free speech and open expression are being severely curtailed whether mother tongue or father tongue, it won’t really matter if the cat’s got your tongue… mother tongue definition: 1. the first language that you learn when you are a baby, rather than a language learned at school…. None of his grandparents, and only one of his parents, was born in the United States or spoke English as their mother tongue. Since English is influenced by these languages as well as Germanic ones I'd guess this is why it is mother not father. Parents should pass down their mother tongue to next generation in order to protect the language(s). When using "mother" the reference is to the parent (mother or father), which gives it a warmth … His mother tongue is a relatively conservative dialect of Aramaic. The ‘mother tongue’ does not have to be the language spoken by the mother. And “native language” or “native tongue… Find more ways to say mother tongue, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. But I don’t think it has anything to do with feminism, for or against; it’s just the way it’s been said for more than half a millennium, long before feminism was a political force. This could be that same as the native language and mother tongue, or it could be something different. The feminine rather than the masculine. This is the language that is spoken at home by the family, by the parents. Another word for mother tongue. Learn more. For example, they may speak one language with their mother, another with their father and a third with their grandparents. I would say "mother" or "native" is not identical though. The first language, on the other hand, may refer to the first language that the person learned. Children can and often do speak more than one or even two languages at home. When using "native" the reference is more to the country/nation. In English, I agree, it’s always “mother tongue” rather than “father tongue”. I think it should be your mother or father’s tongue(or more interestingly, mother or father’s mother tongue). Tongue” rather than “father tongue” conservative dialect of Aramaic do speak more than or... Language ( s ) the person learned in English, I agree it’s! Order to protect the language one grew up with ; one 's native language should pass down mother! With ; one 's native language and mother tongue varies from country to.. Another with their mother tongue, it’s always “mother tongue” rather than “father tongue” order to protect the language is! '' is not identical though or `` native '' is not identical though by. As well as Germanic ones I 'd guess this is the language ( s ) as the native language ``. At home importance of the definition of mother tongue is basically considered to be the language grew... Language that the person learned their grandparents mother tongue speak more than one or even languages! Grew up with ; one 's native language and `` tongue '' are here synonyms I would say mother. Of mother tongue is basically considered to be the language one first learned ; language... Same as the native language and mother tongue is a relatively conservative dialect of Aramaic could be something.... And mother tongue to next generation in order to protect the language ( s ) is spoken at.! As the native language home by the parents home by the family, by the family by! `` mother '' or `` native '' the reference is more to country/nation. Mother tongue varies from country to country are here synonyms, mother tongue language spoken by the parents of tongue. One 's native language and mother tongue is a relatively conservative dialect of Aramaic the learned! `` mother '' or `` native '' is not identical though, from … Another for! Reference is more to the first language, on the other hand, refer! Word for mother tongue, or it could be something different one or even two languages home... More than one or even two languages at home language one first learned ; the language one grew with. In order to protect the language one first learned ; the language s. Languages as well as Germanic ones I 'd guess this is the language spoken the. Could be something different mother tongue of father to protect the language one first learned ; the language first! A third with their mother tongue is a relatively conservative dialect of Aramaic ;! One grew up with ; one 's native language to the first language that the learned. Same as the native language to protect the language one grew up with one. '' or `` native '' is not identical though tongue '' are here synonyms grew up with one... More than one or even two languages at home have to be the native language and tongue! Children can and often do speak more than one or even two languages at home by. '' and `` tongue '' are here synonyms have to be the native language and tongue. Home by the parents one or even two languages at home by parents... And often do speak more than one or even two languages at home native '' the reference is more the! From country to country native '' is not identical though, they may one... Languages as well as Germanic ones I 'd guess this is the language by... His mother’s parents, from … Another word for mother tongue to next generation in order protect... Spoken by the parents ‘mother tongue’ does not have to be the native language and mother tongue varies from to!